Ewan shows he’s got what it takes

CALEB Ewan has won more than 25 races since turning professional in 2015, but his second place finish in Milan-San Remo on the weekend was arguably the finest performance of his career.

Save for perhaps Grand Tour stage wins in the Vuelta a Espana and Giro d’Italia, and his domination of the Tour Down Under last year, Ewan’s performance in the Italian one-day monument again con- firms his superstar potential in world cycling.

The Australian sprinter finished second behind Italian supremo Vincenzo Nibali after 294km in brutal weather conditions by outgunning the likes of Arnaud Demare, Alexander Kristoff, Peter Sagan and Michael Matthews.

Last year Ewan announced himself as a contender when he finished 10th, so to back up and finish second this year proves it was no fluke and confirms his meticulous prep- aration for his early-season target was bang on the money.

No wonder Mitchelton-Scott is taking him to the Tour de France for the first time in July.

Ewan will be bitterly disappointed at falling just short of joining Matt Goss and Simon Gerrans as the only Australian winners of the race, but to stand on the podium at just 23 means he should reach the top step one day.

“I know it is still a massive result to finish in second place, but to be so close to the win is a little bit disappointing,” Ewan said.

“After this year I know I can potentially win this race so I can come back next year and the year after and try to win.”

The race was marred by a nasty crash involving British superstar Mark Cavendish who broke a rib after somersaulting through the air after hitting a barrier, and Australian all-rounder Simon Clarke who was left with three broken vertebrae.